In the Media

OAKVILLE BEAVER – Members of the Drew Hildebrand Teen Benefit Fund have returned for a third year with a larger event to raise money for scholarships for turnaround teens.

In the name of Drew Hildebrand, who died in 2008, a victim of teen-on-teen violence, the event raises money to help send Halton and Peel teens to post-secondary school, after they made a turnaround in high school.

“Drew was a turnaround teen. He was a good example of being a turnaround teen and that’s why our scholarships are geared towards kids who have shown turnaround initiative. We go to the guidance councilors, they make the recommendations and the scholarships are really giving kids a second chance,” said Cindy Simpson, Drew’s aunt, who is co-chair of the fund.

The Drew Hildebrand 5k Walk the Walk, Run or Skate and Musikfest is on Sunday, June 5 at Coronation Park. As the name suggests, the event will feature a 5k walk, run or skateboard in the morning, barbecue, scholarship presentation, plus Musikfest.

In its first year the event featured a walk but additions were made the following year.

This year features the addition of the Musikfest competition, which will pit local student bands challenging each other on stage for various prizes.

“We’re trying to grow it year after year in Oakville and trying to make it a known event,” Simmons said. “The first year we started, it was just a 5k walk because we were quite new at this and we wanted to get the kids out in memory of Drew. We had a couple bands donate their time for some fun in the afternoon, but it has become a known event for music in the park. We’ve expanded on that quite a bit.”

Four bands will compete and the winners will be chosen by attendees. The bands are Oakville’s All Heads Up, Burlington’s Koetta Black and The Great Commission and Mississauga’s Seam. They will compete for recording time at Orcana Recording Studios as top prize, or a mixing board from the studio as a second place prize.

“Because it is such a fun afternoon after the walk, we really want to motivate the kids and keep the youths coming to the park, we found that having bands on the stage, it will keep them in the park and give them something to do while having lunch afterwards,” Simmons said of the live music.

The event is expected to draw about 500 people, and Simmons encourages families to come out and enjoy the festivities.

The event also reminds youths there is time to turn things around.

“There’s always time to turn your life around if you have gone the wrong path,” Simmons said. “Our event is geared towards that, reminding kids violence doesn’t help anybody. There’s drugs and peer pressure. There’s always a chance to turn your back on that and make better choices and we’re there to help you, if you do.”

The five scholarship recipients will be presented on stage with their awards.

Simmons said if the event can grow and draw more people in the future, she hopes the scholarships can be handed out to more than just students in Halton and Peel regions.

“We’re volunteers raising money in our community for our youth,” she said. “Plus, we’re trying to get youth to help youth. By encouraging youth to come out to our event, it’s really youth helping youth.”

The children may also learn something during their participation at the event.

“It’s a good learning curve for some of these kids,” Simmons said. “They’re coming out supporting scholarships for the future. It is in memory of Drew, but it’s a bigger picture than that also. It’s getting (youths) involved and realizing the importance of this turnaround initiative.”

The event will include prize giveaways, raffles, auction, games such as sumo suits and more.

Registration starts at 9 a.m., the run starts at 11 a.m. and walk and skateboard at 11:15 a.m. The complimentary barbecue is at 11:30 a.m. Musikfest runs from noon to 4 p.m.

Registration for the walk, skate is $15 and $35 for runners. Children six and under are free. There are also family and team rates. People are also asked to raise pledged donations. Musikfest entry is $5. For more information or to register for the walk, run or skate event, visit www.dhtbf.com.

Drew Hildebrand’s family is on a mission to help at-risk teens turn their lives around.

The Drew Hildebrand Teen Benefit Fund, created in 2009, honours Drew’s memory and helps others by hosting fundraising events that create scholarships and after-school programs for teens in Peel and Halton. The family works with guidance counsellors in public and catholic high schools to select scholarship recipients.
Drew, who split his residency between his two families in Mississauga and Oakville, died on April 8, 2008 as a victim of teen violence. He was 16. Before his death, his stepmother, Kim Evershed, said Drew had reached a good point in his life after falling behind in school and making poor decisions for a while. She said he had caught up on his courses and turned his life around with the help of his guidance counsellors. Evershed said it took tremendous courage on Drew’s part to change.
Evershed and the rest of Drew’s family are hosting a MuchMusic fundraising dance party on April 1 to raise funds that will help support teens who are navigating the dangers of violence, drugs and alcohol. The party takes place at Anapilis Community Centre in Port Credit. It runs from 8 p.m.-midnight and features live graffiti, dance contests, door prizes, a raffle table and food.

Tickets cost $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Students are encouraged to collect pledges. The entrance fee is waived for those who raise $100 or more. Proceeds will support the “It Takes Courage to Change” scholarships for post-secondary education and music and arts programs for at-risk teens.
Evershed says she has a great group of volunteers helping the family put on the dance party.
“It was a pleasure working with 32 great students from 16 high schools in Peel and three in Halton,” she said. “Their ideas, creativity and caring nature is very inspiring.”

The 2nd Annual Drew Hildebrand Charity Golf Classic was held on August 26, 2010 at Lionhead Golf & Country Club. The Drew Hildebrand Teen Benefit Fund was established in memory of Drew, an unfortunate victim of teen violence who died on April 8, 2008 at the age of 16. The Shotgun tournament format had all golfers on the course to begin at the same time – with everyone enjoying a beautiful afternoon with great prizes available to participants in a variety of ways, as well as a delicious dinner and a silent auction.

Drew touched many people’s lives and continues to be a positive influence with all. All money raised at the tournament was earmarked to support Drew’s “It takes courage to change” Scholarship fund, for post secondary education for Turnaround Teens in Peel, Halton and GTA.

The Drew Hildebrand 2nd annual Charity Golf Classic was recently held at Lionhead Golf Club in Brampton. The Drew Hildebrand Teen Benefit Fund was established in memory of Drew, who died on April 8th, 2008 as a victim of teen violence at the age of 16. The Fund recognizes and rewards positive change through individual scholarships for post secondary education and or training programs. Scholarships are awarded to graduating teens who have demonstrated a turnaround initiative. While a scholarship will be awarded at Drew’s high school, Thomas A Blakelock High School in Oakville, the fund’s goal is to expand to more high schools in the Halton, Peel and GTA areas so that as many turnaround teens as possible can pursue a better life.

Mississauga, ON (August 10, 2010) —: The 2nd Annual Drew Hildebrand Charity Golf Classic will take place Thursday, August 26, 2010 at the Lionhead Golf & Country Club, Masters Course, in Brampton.

The Drew Hildebrand Teen Benefit Fund was created in memory of Drew Hildebrand, who died in 2008 at the age of 16, a victim of teen violence. The Fund rewards turnaround teens with scholarships to the postsecondary institution of their choice, and raises awareness and concern in our communities to help stop teen-on-teen violence.

At the charity’s June 2010 Walk/Run, 5 very deserving participants from the Peel and Halton regions received Drew Hildebrand “It takes courage to change” scholarships of up to $5,000 to the postsecondary school of their choice. The Fund hopes to expand the number of scholarships available to at-risk teens.

Money raised from this year’s tournament will go to the scholarship fund. “It’s very important to us to reward turnaround teens,” said Jay Hildebrand, Drew’s father. “Drew himself was a turnaround teen, receiving recognition from his high school Thomas A Blakelock for his initiative. Unfortunately, tragedy struck before he could reach his full potential. We draw strength from our scholarship teens, and in Drew’s memory we are helping them to pursue a better life,” said Hildebrand.

“The turnaround stories that our scholarship winners submitted were heartfelt and showed incredible courage as they each overcame difficult hurdles and adversity. The teens mentioned how motivating they found it to know that an organization like the Drew Hildebrand Teen Benefit Fund was available to them and supporting their quest for a better future,” said Crystal Simmons, Drew’s mother.

The Hildebrand and Simmons families would like to encourage others in our communities to help support Drew’s scholarship fund by attending or contributing to this event. “We are looking for support from the citizens of Peel and Halton regions to donate prizes, send a team of four to play golf, or sponsor a hole,” said Hildebrand.

The $195 registration includes green fees at the Lionhead Master’s course, golf cart, golfer’s gift bag, Prime Rib Dinner, complimentary wine, and silent auction. The very entertaining Ryan Parker, Q107 morning show, will co-MC the dinner and awards, The four man scramble will begin with a shot gun start at 1:30, followed by dinner at 7:00. Those who register before August 15 receive a free passport ($20 value) for all contests during the day.

To register on line for the tournament, go to www.dhtbf.com. To sponsor a hole. make a donation, or contribute prizes for raffles and silent auction, contact Cathy Harris at c.harris@rogers.com.

About the Drew Hildebrand Teen Benefit Fund

The mission of the Drew Hildebrand Teen Benefit Fund is to support teens who are navigating the many pressures and dangers of violence, drugs, alcohol, among others. Through scholarship and support programs, and by raising awareness and concern among teens and within our communities, more teens will have a safer and better journey to adulthood. For more information www.drewhildebrandtbf.com.

The 2nd Annual Drew Hildebrand Teen Benefit Fundraiser 5km Walk was a huge success at Coronation Park. This day-long event included a barbecue, raffle and silent auction tables, community sponsor tents, a live graffiti demonstration and a concert. Drew was killed tragically in 2008, a victim of teen on teen violence and the highlight of the event was the tribute to Drew and other teen violence victims and the presentation of the Drew Hildebrand “It Takes Courage to Change” Teen Benefit Fund Awards & Scholarships that enable six very deserving turn-around teens to pursue the post secondary education of their choice in September 2010. “The goal is to encourage at-risk teens to walk the walk and take the initiative to find the path to a better life!”

Today’s Oakville Beaver features three articles about three local teens, Sara Carlin, Drew Hildebrand and Matt McGregor who, sadly, left this world all too soon.

Sara Carlin, who was suffering from depression, took her own life in her parents’ Oakville home in May 2007.

Drew Hildebrand died as a result of senseless teen violence in April 2008.

Matt McGregor was killed in a car collision last March.

We cannot imagine the heartbreak and loss their families and friends must feel.

However, we salute all three families for turning such heartbreaking tragedies into positive endeavours.

McGregor’s parents, Sharon and William, will honour the memory of their son by jumping out of a plane with a parachute on June 19. The jump has grown into an event involving 30 people, who will raise funds for the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

Hildebrand’s parents have honoured their son’s memory by establishing the Drew Hildebrand Teen Benefit Fund to help turnaround teens achieve their goals. Last Saturday, more than 300 participants helped raise funds for this charity in the second annual Drew Hildebrand Teen Benefit Fund 5 km Walk/Run. The event saw five scholarships given to five turnaround teens to help them pursue their post-secondary education.

While the Carlins have not established a charity to in their daughter’s memory, they are still honouring her by ensuring she didn’t die in vain.

Against all odds, the Carlins have petitioned for a Coroner’s inquest into their daughter’s suicide in May 2007. The Carlins allege the prescription anti-depressant drug Paxil played a role in their daughter’s death.

The inquest began Monday and is expected to last three weeks. For the Carlins, it will be a grueling three weeks in which their daughter’s last days will be placed under a microscope and revealed to all.

The presiding Coroner Dr. Bert Lauwers has stated the inquest is not about finding blame for Sara’s death, but rather preventing similar deaths in the future.

If the inquest saves even one life through the jury’s recommendations or the publicity it generates, then the Carlins will have made a lasting tribute to their daughter.

“Our goal is to encourage at-risk teens to walk the walk and take the initiative to find the path to a better life,” said Jay Hildebrand, whose son Drew was killed tragically in 2008, a victim of teen on teen violence. A fund was set up in Drew’s name in early 2009; the aforementioned Drew Hildebrand Teen Benefit Fund.

After two successful 2009 fundraising events, the charity will award its first Drew Hildebrand “It Takes Courage to Change” scholarships to 6 very deserving turnaround teens from 6 different Peel and Halton schools, so they can pursue the post secondary education of their choice in September 2010. “The turnaround stories these teens submitted were heartfelt and showed incredible courage as they each overcame difficult
hurdles and adversity. The teens mentioned how motivating they found it to know that an organization like the Drew Hildebrand Teen Benefit Fund was available to them and
supporting their quest for a better future,” said Hildebrand.

“We want to celebrate and support turnaround teens in our communities.” said Crystal Simmons, Drew’s Mom. “The steps we take together can help encourage some at-risk teens to not just talk the talk, but walk the walk and turn their backs on risky behaviour.”

There has been an increase of over 30% in youth/teen violence in Canada since 1991, much of it due to a rise in assaults, according to information from Canadian police forces. Therefore, the work of this charity becomes even more timely and necessary.

Registration for the day-long 5km Walk the Walk/Run begins at 10 am while the run and walk begin at 11:50 am and noon respectively. A barbeque lunch and a live graffiti demonstration featuring urban artists Jessey Pacho and Kedre Browne will start at 1 pm, while the 5km Run awards will be handed out at 1:30 pm. The free live Concert will sound at 2 pm, featuring the talents of MC-Tabby Johnston, Foxes in Fiction, Harshmellows, BF Soul, Wrench and Jordon John and Prakash John. The scholarships and fundraising awards will be handed out during the music performances. There will also be a tribute area to Drew and other teen violence victims, and a community outreach area. The live music will end by 5:30 pm, bringing an end to this exciting day.

All proceeds from this 5km Walk the Walk/Run will go toward this charity’s work.

About the Drew Hildebrand Teen Benefit Fund

The mission of the Drew Hildebrand Teen Benefit Fund is to support teens who are navigating the many pressures and dangers of violence, drugs, alcohol, among others. Through scholarship and support programs, and by raising awareness and concern among teens and within our communities, more teens will have a safer and better journey to adulthood. For more information www.drewhildebrandtbf.com.

Walkers came together at Coronation Park for a 5K Walk followed by presentations, a barbeque and music festival all in support of The Drew Hildebrand Teen Benefit Fund. The fund will recognize and reward positive change through individual scholarships for post secondary education and or training programs. Scholarships are awarded to graduating teens who have demonstrated turnaround initiative. While a scholarship will be awarded at Drew’s high school, Thomas A. Blakelock High School in Oakville, the fund’s goal is to expand to more high schools in the Halton, Peel and GTA areas so that as many turnaround teens as possible can pursue a better life.

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The mission of the Drew Hildebrand Teen Benefit Fund is to support teens who are navigating the many pressures and dangers of violence, drugs, alcohol, among others. Through our Scholarship and Support Programs, and by raising awareness and concern among teens and within our communities, more teens will have a safer and better journey to adulthood.